The Hodgepodges: The first couple weeks as a mother of three

**One thing I wanted to jot down was our experience at bed time the other night. I want to be able to reflect on it when times are tough these next few weeks. When I feel like I'm about to lose it or feeling overwhelmed I want to remember that night. Lydia has a stomach bug of sorts, major diarrhea, raw raw tush stuff. Poor thing screams when her diaper is full and while being changed. I had Charlie run and get some probiotics and I've been having her do naked tushy time to give it some air. Anyway, we were all up in Natalia's room prepping for bed. Now that I'm not hugely preggo and am feeling much better physically I'm happy to be a part of our routine once again. So we had Quinton in the boppy chair and we were trying to get the girls changed. Of course while trying to get Lydia in her dry diaper and jammies (and adding some cream to her butt) she melted down. At the same time Quinton starts to fuss because it's feeding time. Charlie ran downstairs to warm up a bottle for him. I'm left alone to handle all three, and for some reason I'm not quite sure of, I handled it... without melting down myself. Maybe I'm regaining my patience that was lost at the end of my pregnancy (I felt like I'd loose my cool at the drop of a pin). I had Quinton in one arm/lap trying to sooth him with his binky. I had Lydia in the other arm and I maintained a calm voice trying to sooth her. All why Miss Demanding (aka Natalia) was trying to insist on starting our bed time story. I got her to sit on the other side of me and hold the book up. Then I got Lydia to calm down and told her I wanted to read to her but couldn't unless she stopped crying. And it worked. Somehow I didn't break down and start crying myself. We got the girls off to bed just fine after that and Quinton got his bottle and fell asleep on me after that. Anyway, I just really need to remember this later on when we have chaos and I'm about to freak out, because I know it'll happen. I've been told countless times that going from 2-3 is the hardest... so I'm scared. But I did just fine then and we'll make it through and 3 will be our new normal. ;)

**BOY am I EXHAUSTED! He won't sleep in the bassinet much. Most nights I end up sleeping in the recliner holding him. Thankfully we bought the recliner or I don't really known what Id be doing. We've had a couple of really good nights of him staying in the bassinet between feedings though so I know there is hope. Physically I feel much better I get tired easily but I don't feel like I just gave birth a few days ago. Milk is officially in and I've already started my frozen supply. I HATE pumping with a passion and the pain it causes the first few weeks while my breasts adjust to it. Probably one of my top 5 reasons to be officially done with having kiddos.

**I was getting really sad and overwhelmed on Saturday. Totally started freaking out about Charlie going back to work and my mom leaving and having to do it all on my own. They have done everything for me so I can focus on me and Quinton right now. The most amazing support team. I figured it had to do with exhaustion so I took a nap, had a small cup of coffee (it's been over two weeks since I've had caffeine and I was trying to avoid it until my milk was well established, and boy was it delicious) and took a shower. Suddenly my mood improved and I felt tons better. I think part of my problem is the whole "I need to rest thing" I get I'm supposed to take it easy, but I'm not someone who enjoys sitting on my butt all day. I struggled with it in the hospital because you are expected to just stay in the bed for the most part. I feel better about myself and my days when I'm doing something productive. (don't get me wrong I LOVE sleep and taking naps, but I hate just sitting on my butt doing nothing but supposedly resting) Anyway, I went to the Lady Antebellum concert (long story, bought tickets thinking he'd be early ha ha ha) stood for a long time, missed my babe almost more then I could handle, and was sore the next day. I totally paid for it when my feet and ankles got all swollen and were actually a little tender. So I took it easy for two days and I think that's when my mood started to change and I got in my head too much and started to freak out. I'll still try to take it easy this next week while I have the help, but really I want to start trying to create a routine for us and figure out how things are going to work when I don't have help.

**But really, I'm loving having a newborn around. He is just so sweet and snugly. I love having him lay on me and just sleeping. He's eating like a champ, and I'm excited for his appointment on Tuesday to see if he's gained all his weight back from the hospital. We are also doing his circumcision that day too, I'm making Charlie go with me because I'm sure I'll cry when I see him cry. His little umbilical stump fell off last night (Saturday) so now we can do a real bath with him. Natalia is super excited to help me with that, she's been loving helping with his sponge baths. She is seriously the sweetest big sister to him. LOVES him to pieces and always wants to hold/kiss/love on him. Asks to hold him all the time and if he's in the swing she wants to be in the chair next to him watching him. Lydia is still nonchalant about him. She refers to him as Baby Brother and not Quinton. She will give him kisses if we say something but doesn't ask to do it like Natalia. We've had a couple of outings with my mom and brother/family like to dinner and the zoo that seemed to go really well. Makes me think we can handle this family of five thing after all. ;) I remembered tonight my trick to getting things done all while holding Lydia... my Ergo carrier! I stuck Quinton in it so we could still "snuggle" and then I was able to put away laundry. Win Win in my book!

**We've been so lucky to have people dropping off food for us, so really we haven't had to prepare much as far as meals go. I'm a little nervous for the time to come and I have to do all the meal prep/cooking plus take care of all three. Yikes. But, I know it's possible and with time I'll get it down. I remember having the same fears when Lydia was born and having a couple of rough nights but I managed and eventually figured it out, so I'll do the same now too. In the mean time I'm so very very grateful for my mom and Charlie for doing everything for me. I don't know what I'd do without them!!!

**I found someone to do Quinton's newborn pics (my cousin retired if you remember) this gal has a couple of kiddos in Natalia's preschool class and one of them is also in Natalia's dance class. She posted the sneak peak on Facebook and I should be getting a disc this week. Enjoy the sweetness! (I've added the link to my Quinton Facebook album so you guys can check out my handsome little man)